Group Play - The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde (Fall '13)

[Pink]

I watched the film version with Michael Redgrave and Edith Evans and it really made me appreciate the play even more. Here's a link to the whole film on youtube if anyone wants to watch it. The Importance of Being Ernest

[Alannah]

Pink wrote: "I watched the film version with Michael Redgrave and Edith Evans and it really made me appreciate the play even more. Here's a link to the whole film on youtube if anyone wants to watch it. The Im..."

Thanks Pink, I will check it out later tonight.

[Leslie]

Pink wrote: "I watched the film version with Michael Redgrave and Edith Evans and it really made me appreciate the play even more. Here's a link to the whole film on youtube if anyone wants to watch it. The Im..."

Oh great! I didn't realize it was available on YouTube; I think I will rewatch it :)

[Sharla]

Pink wrote: "I watched the film version with Michael Redgrave and Edith Evans and it really made me appreciate the play even more. Here's a link to the whole film on youtube if anyone wants to watch it. The Im..."

Thanks for the link. I didn't even know about the movie much less that it was on YouTube. :)

[Poornima]

Just watched the movie with Colin Firth, couple of days ago. such a delightful movie! liked how beautifully the book was adapted.

[Leslie]

Poornima wrote: "Just watched the movie with Colin Firth, couple of days ago. such a delightful movie! liked how beautifully the book was adapted."

I didn't really like the daydream knights of Cecily when you first meet Reese Witherspoon... but I liked everyone else, especially Judi Dench as Lady Bracknell :)

[Poornima]

hah, yes Leslie.. agree with you on that.. the daydreams added certain additional (unrequired) silliness to Cecily's character.

[Leslie]

We are about a month away from the beginning of winter, when our next group play discussion would begin. I was wondering if anyone had suggestions for which play we should read?

[Holly]

I have a few on my to-read list that I really want to read, mainly A Doll's House, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead and Doctor Faustus. Although I doubt any would win in nominations!

[Leslie]

Holly, sadly for you, many of us read A Doll's House a few months ago (in another now defunct group). I do like the idea of reading a Tom Stoppard play though - I was thinking of Arcadia. Maybe instead of a specific play, we should feature a playwright & folks could choose any of that author's plays...

[Holly]

That sounds like a wonderful idea. I'm studying Arcadia in school at the moment, and its an amazing play. It's basically Tom Stoppard showing off. I'd love to read another of his plays, so the idea of doing a specific playwright sounds excellent.

You'll have to let me know what you thought of A Doll's House. I am rather hesitant to read it...

[sonny (no longer in use)]

ugh I hated it

[Jenny]

sonny wrote: "ugh I hated it"

Do you mean A Doll's House sonny? I have to admit reading it twice didn't change the fact that I am not too fond of it either, I however do see why it became such an important work for the time it was written in. It took me years to find out that maybe the reason I disliked every single stage adaptation I saw is due to the fact that I simply don't like the play itself very much.

I know quite a few people who adore it though, I don't remember whether there was a consensus about it in Perks? Do you Leslie?


Personally I've been meaning to read A Streetcar Named Desire forever as well as something by Arthur Miller. Contemporary authors I'd love to read more of are Tony Kushner and Yasmina Reza.

As for the format of the winter-read I am happy with both, either specific play or author.

[Bionic Jean]

I think "Arcadia" is quite a long play, as far as I remember. I like "Jumpers" - sort of Philosophy meets Gymnastics. Tom Stoppard seems to do one play about something and then move on...they are all so different! So I'd love to read more of his, but am not sure how easy they are to get hold of.

[sonny (no longer in use)]

I meant the importance of being earnest

[Jenny]

LOL. Classic misunderstanding then. 3 stars though still?

[Leslie]

sonny wrote: "I meant the importance of being earnest"

:( What about it made you dislike it so?

[Bionic Jean]

Oh nobody seems to have posted here for 3 weeks. Perhaps everyone has finished reading it now. I'm certainly looking forward to the poll for our next play read.

I finished a couple of days ago - what a treat it was!

Here's my review

[Leslie]

Jean wrote: "Oh nobody seems to have posted here for 3 weeks. Perhaps everyone has finished reading it now. I'm certainly looking forward to the poll for our next play read.

I finished a couple of days ago - w..."

Sorry Jean -- no poll. This was something I took on because I am interested in reading plays. I am setting the plays, although willing to accept suggestions.

[Bionic Jean]

Oh I didn't know that, Leslie! I thought there had been some discussion already about it; maybe that was on the "moderators only" thread.

Anyway I'm perfectly happy not to vote on this!! And will probably join in on most of what you set :)

[Leslie]

Thanks Jean :)

Great review of the Oscar Wilde btw! I agree that it is even better when seen performed but with so many one-line zingers, it is sometimes hard to keep them all in mind unless you have the print version to refer to :P

You included one quote of Gwendolyn referring to her diary... I was thinking after watching the film of the sub-satire, if I can call it that, Wilde has for girls & their diaries. Both Gwendolyn and Cecily keep diaries & it is clearly implied that they are more fiction than fact! For example, Cecily has the "record" of her romance with Earnest recorded for months before she ever meets her 'cousin'! For some reason, this struck me as particularly funny this time watching...

[Bionic Jean]

LOL Leslie! I agree that part where Cecily shows her "record" is absolutely priceless! And how perspicacious of Wilde to know that young girls frequently record their own highly coloured - or even fictitious - versions of events.

Thanks for reminding me again of this and giving me another chance to smile. I think it's probably one of the many minor instances that easily slip the mind until you come to the play again. As you say, it packs so much in.

And thank you for the compliment! I did feel mean not giving it 5 stars, actually :( Perhaps Goodreads should have an extra half star for live performances! (Though awarding half stars always seems a controversial topic in Goodreads. It's not a serious suggestion!)

By the way, may I ask what :P means? (Anybody!) I have seen it a few times now and do not know. Is it a wry smile, maybe?

[Leslie]

:P means sticking out your tongue (or if that is not standard, it is how I use it!). So yes, in a way, it is a wry smile...

[LauraT]

:P!!!

[Bionic Jean]

Oh but that is rude! LOL I never expected that. It just shows it's as well to know these things!!

Not really a wry smile then - more of a "Nerr!" as children say ("Told you so" or "So there!") ?

[[deleted user]]

I've just finished this. I've just started it as well; was a quick read for me!

What a fantastic play! I think this is the first play I have read other than Shakespeare and what a treat. I laughed out loud at points which is unusual for me and I've highlighted most of my kindle edition.

I think the only way to describe Algy and Jack is 'scoundrels'. I love the way this pokes fun at Victorian conventions and I think the story of the handbag is just brilliant! I am pleasantly surprised by this wonderful read and will listen to one of the audio versions tomorrow! 5*

[[deleted user]]

Jean, your review is fantastic!

[Leslie]

Heather wrote: "I've just finished this. I've just started it as well; was a quick read for me!

What a fantastic play! I think this is the first play I have read other than Shakespeare and what a treat. I laughe..."

Yay!! Doing a happy dance


If you want to watch the 1952 movie that Jean and I have been discussing, it is available to watch or download at YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6NFQbe...

[Bionic Jean]

Ooo I hope you can watch that link Leslie's sent you, Heather. Lady Bracknell's pronuciation of the accessory you mention will make you laugh out loud ! :D And thank you :)

[Shirley]

I'd forgotten there was a thread for this! I finished it on December 31st, and really enjoyed it, very witty and cleverly written! Thanks for posting the link, Leslie, I shall have to watch it now!!

[Leslie]

Shirley wrote: "I'd forgotten there was a thread for this! I finished it on December 31st, and really enjoyed it, very witty and cleverly written! Thanks for posting the link, Leslie, I shall have to watch it now!!"

While the movie is fun at any time, I think it is even better when you have recently read the play! Enjoy :)

[LauraT]

Leslie wrote: "Shirley wrote: "I'd forgotten there was a thread for this! I finished it on December 31st, and really enjoyed it, very witty and cleverly written! Thanks for posting the link, Leslie, I shall have ..."

Right!